Elihu has some very good advice, but he clearly doesn’t have all the answers. Take a look.
Job 34: Elihu Asserts God's Justice
1 Then Elihu answered and said:
2 "Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;
3 for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.
4 Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said, 'I am in the right, and God has taken away my right;
6 in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'
7 What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water,
8 who travels in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men?
9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.'
10 "Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.
11 For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him.
12 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
13 Who gave him charge over the earth, and who laid on him the whole world?
14 If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,
15 all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.
16 "If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
17 Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,
18 who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' and to nobles, 'Wicked man,'
19 who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
20 In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.
21 "For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.
22 There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves.
23 For God has no need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
24 He shatters the mighty without investigation and sets others in their place.
25 Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.
26 He strikes them for their wickedness in a place for all to see,
27 because they turned aside from following him and had no regard for any of his ways,
28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted---
29 When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?---
30 that a godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare the people.
31 "For has anyone said to God, 'I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;
32 teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
33 Will he then make repayment to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose, and not I; therefore declare what you know.
34 Men of understanding will say to me, and the wise man who hears me will say:
35 'Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight.'
36 Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men.
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God."
Job 35: Elihu Condemns Job
1 And Elihu answered and said:
2 "Do you think this to be just? Do you say, 'It is my right before God,'
3 that you ask, 'What advantage have I? How am I better off than if I had sinned?'
4 I will answer you and your friends with you.
5 Look at the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds, which are higher than you.
6 If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him? Or what does he receive from your hand?
8 Your wickedness concerns a man like yourself, and your righteousness a son of man.
9 "Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out; they call for help because of the arm of the mighty.
10 But none says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,
11 who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?'
12 There they cry out, but he does not answer, because of the pride of evil men.
13 Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it.
14 How much less when you say that you do not see him, that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him!
15 And now, because his anger does not punish, and he does not take much note of transgression,
16 Job opens his mouth in empty talk; he multiplies words without knowledge."
Things to think about…
1. Well here we have it, we find the end of young Elihu’s grace. He says Job drinks up scoffing like water and travels with evil doers and wicked men, Job 34:7,8. He finally says at the end of the chapter that Job adds rebellion to sin, vs 37. While job will soon be spoken to by the Lord, has Job committed sin or taken up with evil company? The answer of course is no. These four guys at the end of the day cannot handle bad things happening to good people. There are no ‘good’ people of course, but Job’s friends cannot believe suffering should come upon the godly. We know many godly people suffer, it is a testimony through both the scriptures and history. There is a glorious purpose through it all.
2. Elihu says “Shall one who hates justice govern, Job 34:17, implying that this would never be part of God’s character. Remember Job sat in the city gate as a judge. These words would have cut Job. Elihu is saying surely there is iniquity with Job. But Elihu also distances himself from his older friends, Job 34:34, 35 – therefore his words still have more grace and understanding regarding Jobs plight.
3. Elihu continues in Job 35 by effectively saying – does it affect God whether men sin or are righteous. God is God and He is not affected by anything or anyone, vss 6-8. We know however that our sin does concern the heart of the Lord, He feels indignation everyday Ps 7:11. And the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him, 2Chr 16:9. In the same way when Jesus comes back will He find faith on the earth, Lk 18:8. Our actions and attitudes occupy the heart of our Lord.
4. Elihu says that God does not hear an empty cry, Job 35:13. This is true, but he is inferring that Job’s pleas to God are empty. This is not true. Never feel that the Lord does not hear your prayers, He is answering even through the praying grace is being worked out. But what about when prayer is not answered in general. We also need to check how we pray, “There they cry out, but he does not answer, because of the pride of evil men. Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it”, Job 35:12, 13. Two reasons are given here, 1. Pride and 2. Empty prayers. Let’s think as we pray giving thought to that fact that we are addressing the almighty, to abase ourselves knowing that the Lord will exalt the humble.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups off over the school holidays.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for the families that have lost loved ones in the storms over the last 2 days. Pray for Christ’s peace.
2. Pray for the new arrives at Christmas to CBC, may they find a home with us.
3. Pray that the contacts made at carols would continue to join with Christ.
4. Please continue to pray for Glenys Zawada – out of the Wesley Hospital. Back for rehab as a day patient in early Jan.
5. The conflicts in Israel and Ukraine. Praise for the peace of Jesus to reign.
6. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday afternoons. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
7. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for Christmas Day and the carols and the new contacts made.
2. Praise God for all the work that went into carols. Special mentions – Dan Horne – stayed till late packing and unpacking sound equipment, Rosie Dunn – face painting, Nafisah and Krystal Beatty – Sherbet Stall, Band members Jeromy, Mark, Ric, Zac, Josh, Ben, Suzy, Ashley as well as Bec on computer. Great effort everyone. Doug Horne with sound – big effort. Finally to everyone who cooked – Che, Ric, Dan and who packed up – thankyou.
3. Praise God Doug has known some relief to his headaches.
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
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Catechism questions for December...
Q. 15. Who wrote the Bible? A. Holy men who were taught by the Holy Spirit.
